ASSAM FLOODS: SITUATION REMAINS CRITICAL AS DEATH TOLL CROSSES 40, RESCUE TEAMS ON STANDBY | DETAILS

Guwahati: The flood situation in Assam has worsened following heavy rainfall in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. The Brahmaputra and all its tributaries are flowing above the danger level. The situation became critical on Sunday night. Rescue teams are currently on standby. As per officials, over 2.7 lakh people are affected by the floods. Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 44 due to floods and landslides in the state, as per the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy downpour for the next two to three days.

"The main cause of the current second wave of floods is the incessant and heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Arunachal Pradesh," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said during a press conference.

River Subansiri in North Lakhimpur district had crossed the highest flood levels in 2011 and 2017, but this time it has topped the earlier danger levels, he added as reported by PTI. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) released 409 cubic metres of water from the Lower Subansiri dam on Sunday. Due to this, 11,000 people in 21 villages of North Lakhimpur district have been affected.

In the Kaziranga National Park, 95 out of the 233 forest check posts are completely inundated. while restrictions have been imposed on vehicular traffic along National Highway-37, linking Upper and Central Assam.

Sarma said that trucks and heavy vehicles have been diverted via North Assam, and personal vehicles and night buses will be escorted by the police every half an hour at a speed of 30 km per hour.

Dibrugarh town remained inundated for the fifth consecutive day on Monday. A state cabinet meeting has been scheduled on Wednesday to review the flood situation. As per officials, over 2.7 lakh people in 14 districts, including Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, are under the deluge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also called Sarma to take stock of the situation.

Meanwhile, the IMD predicted Isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Arunachal Pradesh on July 1, July 4 and July 5.

(With inputs from PTI)

2024-07-01T16:48:07Z dg43tfdfdgfd